Tomb of the Lost

Chapter THREE



The Egyptian royal party were in the war room of the royal palace. King Ptolemy, General Achillas and the mercenary General Mentor of Athens, Pothinus, various advisors to the boy king and servants.

Pothinus was furious.

He had just received a summons from Julius Caesar demanding that the Egyptian rulers disband their armies and bow to Roman law. He had also demanded that Ptolemy and Cleopatra be sent to him immediately.

“What does this mean?” Ptolemy asked his whining voice irritating both the Generals present.

“I’m afraid my King that we will have to send you to Caesar….”

“But what about Cleopatra? What about her?” Ptolemy cut Pothinus off, “Surely if she doesn’t go then I don’t have to.”

“That is precisely why you should go. Don’t you see. If you attend Caesar, bow to his every wish and your sister fails to come. Then Caesar will have to take your side in this matter.”

“How can she go? We don’t even know where she is. None of you know.”

“I will find her,” Achillas said.

“When Achillas. When?”

“I will leave tonight with only a handful of men so as not to rouse suspicion. Our people protesting in the streets will keep the Romans occupied. I have heard this evening that some of Caesar’s men were killed in violent protests.” “When did this happen?” Ptolemy looked from Achillas to Pothinus.

Pothinus smiled a smug smile.

“After Caesar returned to the palace his ship was attacked. Some of his guards were killed. I arranged it….”

“You.”

“It was necessary my King. Our people do not want the Romans here with their laws. The people see it as an end to their independence.”

“Do you know the people call me the bastard.”

“That is merely hearsay and gossip. My King the people love you. You are a good monarch. Taxes are low. The fields are full. The people work hard for you.”

“And Cleopatra. Do they love her too? Which of us do they love the most?”

“A wise question my King. That will be answered when Achillas finds her and brings her back. In chains if need be.”

Achillas nodded to reassure the boy.

“And what of Caesar’s ships? How many men does he bring?”

“He landed with less than five thousand men and only eight hundred cavalry. It is a small amount sire. Achillas has twenty thousand men waiting and ready on the banks of the Nile. He will move them to Alexandria. There are a million people living in this city. Trust me my King the Romans have no chance of making any sort of an impact on us.”



Caesar stood at the window looking out over the harbour. The rooms the Romans had been given were spacious and luxurious. The walls were adorned with murals and carvings depicting the great Pharaohs. The furniture

was expensive mahogany. Many lamps lit the rooms. Scented oils burned to help keep the night bugs away.

Julius was watching the ships bobbing gently in the waves. The city stretched from lake Mareotis which was North, to the Mediterranean coast covering several miles. From his window he could see the Pharos, the great lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It stood three hundred feet tall. The open sea was beyond. Caesar gazed at the fire burning at the top of the lighthouse. It was a truly spectacular sight.

His attention was taken away by the sound of running feet. A legionary was running down a narrow street. Moments later a group of men carrying burning torches gave chase. They caught up to the unfortunate Roman when he tripped and fell. They surrounded him and laid into him viciously. One of them took out a knife and drew it across his throat to the cheers of the others. When they moved on they left the crumpled corpse where it lay. The last of them looked up at Caesar high up in the window. He pointed at the dead soldier and then brandished his burning torch angrily at the Roman dictator before he dashed off.

Julius turned away from the window at a knock on the door. As he did so a tiny boat entered the harbour through a very narrow channel. Dwarfed by the Egyptian and Roman war galleys it passed unnoticed. Moving very slowly it was being paddled by only one man. It stopped at some low steps that led down to the water. The man put his oar down and bending at the waist he reached into the bottom of the boat and picked up a large bundle of bed sheets. Then checking that he’d gone unnoticed he moved swiftly up the steps, went into a narrow alley and vanished from sight.

Caesar stood with his wine cup in hand near the rest of his Generals as the

door was opened and Marcellus strode in.

“Caesar I have brought a man, a servant of Pompey’s.”

Marcellus moved aside and the servant stood cowering in front of the dictator. Caesar looked him over. He was dishevelled and looked like he hadn’t slept for days.

“What is your name fellow?”

“Philip sire. My name is Philip.”

“You were a servant of my son-in-law Pompey?”

“Yes great Caesar,” Philip replied, clearly petrified, knowing his former master was Caesar’s great enemy.

Julius took a clean goblet and poured some wine into it and offered it. Philip took it gratefully and held it in both hands as he sipped it.

“Thank you great Caesar.”

Julius gestured for his Generals to sit and taking a comfortable couch for himself he spoke.

“And now perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me what happened to my son-in-law.”

Philip swallowed some more wine and reluctantly began, knowing his immediate future may depend upon his story.

“My master arrived here four days ago Caesar. The 28 of September. One day after his fifty ninth birthday. He was met by Septimius the centurion and Achillas.”

“General Achillas?” Caesar interrupted.

“Yes General Achillas.”

“Are you absolutely sure it was Achillas?”

“Yes Caesar.”

Julius glanced at his Generals.

“Achillas swore he’d played no part in it.”

Philip waited until he was sure Caesar wanted to hear more then continued.

“Achillas and Septimius met my master in a small fishing boat. I was suspicious and begged him to wait until a suitable ship was made available but they apologised and promised him once ashore he would be received with all the honours he merited.”

“And Pompey wasn’t suspicious?”

“No lord. Even the lady his wife begged him not to go as she suspected a trap but he refused to listen. I begged him to let me go in his place but he wouldn’t listen. He forbade me to go, shrugged his wife off and got into their boat.”

Tears were rolling down his cheeks now.

“I begged him and begged him but I, we, all of us were powerless and could only watch as he left the safety of his ship and got into their little fishing boat. As he was leaving I suddenly remembered the speech we had rehearsed together. It was hand written on a tiny scroll and I handed it to him. He thanked me once, smiled, waved to his wife and then turned his back on us and sat in the boat.”

Philip took another gulp of the wine. He stared down into the dark red liquid for a moment. Caesar waited patiently, giving him time to gather his thoughts. When it was obvious he needed prompting Caesar said.

“What happened after that Philip?”

“We all watched as the small boat crossed the busy harbour. Then members of the Alexandrian royal party appeared at their private steps on the dock. My master saw them and he stood to wave and Septimius rose behind him. Achillas rose also. At first everything looked to be normal for of course it would be impolite for them to be seated while royalty were standing. Then I saw a sword in Septimius’ hand and though I shouted my master didn’t hear.”

The tears were rolling down his cheeks again.

“We all watched in horror as Septimius drove his sword through Pompey’s back. My master cried out only once and Achillas shouted something and drew a dagger and repeatedly stabbed him.”

“You’re quite sure Achillas stabbed him?” Caesar was on his feet now.

“I’m positive sire. It was Achillas, General of the Nile army.”

Dolabella spoke quietly into Caesar’s ear.

“Achillas lied Julius. He said he played no part in it. No part at all.”

Caesar nodded.

“What were his exact words? Generals don’t kill Generals. Send for Achillas. I will see him on the hour.”

Dolabella left. Caesar waited until the door had closed . He poured Philip some more wine.

“What happened after that?”

“The last thing my master did was to pull his toga over his head so none of us could see his poor face. The lady his wife was crying, we all were. Pompey the great, the man who conquered the eastern provinces, consul and

general of Rome died in that tiny boat while those that loved him looked on powerless to help as the Egyptian royal party applauded.”

“Was Pothinus present?”

“Yes Caesar. He was the one most pleased with Pompey’s death. It is rumoured he was planning to have you killed when you stepped ashore but Achillas came up with the idea of staging the protests in your way. You see Caesar they thought you would man handle their citizens and cause a riot and thus have you killed.”

Marcellus rushed forward.

“Let me go Caesar. I’ll search the palace and remove their heads.”

“No Marcellus. That is precisely the wrong thing to do. We Romans are very proud of our laws. I will interview Pothinus and Achillas. If found guilty they will be tried and punished accordingly. You may go and fetch Pothinus here for me but Marcellus don’t harm him.”

“Yes Caesar. I will obey as always. When do you wish to see him?”

“Tomorrow at noon.”

Julius turned back to Philip.

“Who cut off Pompey’s head?”

“I do not know Caesar. Achillas and the traitor Septimius dragged General Pompey’s body from the boat, carried him to the top of the stairs and dumped his body at King Ptolemy’s feet. Pothinus gave the orders General. He beckoned soldiers, Egyptian soldiers, forward and there were so many of them grouped around my master’s body that no one could see clearly what was happening. Then in the next instant somebody was holding his head up.”

“But you didn’t see who did it?”

“No.”

“No matter. They are all guilty of the act for allowing it to happen.”

Caesar looked over to the corner at a large clay jar filled with olive oil. He’d had Pompey’s head transferred to it.

“We know the whereabouts of Pompey’s head but do we know the whereabouts of the rest of him.”

“They threw his body into the harbour. The master of Pompey’s ship refused to go any closer for fear of the whole vessel coming under attack. He quietly slipped anchor. I jumped overboard. The ship with Pompey’s wife sailed away. I swam between the boats and ships. I was lucky that no one saw me. I was able to rescue my master’s body and using the wood from an old fishing boat I cremated him on the shore above the tide. I gave him the best funeral I could Caesar. I stayed with him when others abandoned him.”

Philip’s shoulders were shaking now. Caesar put his hand on one.

“Your loyalty is noted and shall be rewarded.”

Philip couldn’t believe his ears. He’d assumed he and every one else left alive from Pompey’s forces would be tried for treason and sent back to Rome in chains or executed here.

“Caesar.”

“I would like you to continue your daily duties here. But under my employ instead.”

It was Germanicus that now spoke quietly into Caesar’s ear.

“Can the man be trusted sire?”

“He came to me of his own free will. I believe he can. I will find as many of you as are left alive,” he told Philip, “I will see to it that they are treated well. Guards!”

One of the large double doors opened and a legionary stuck his head in.

“Take this man and find him suitable accommodation. See that he gets a

good rest. Give him whatever he wants.”

The guard came into the room.

“Yes Caesar.”

“Tomorrow you start your new duties. That is all.”

Julius turned his back on him. Then when he was at the door.

“Philip. Thank you for what you’ve done for me. And for my son-in-law.”

Caesar smiled and nodded his head. Philip went through the door and it was closed behind him. Caesar’ and Germanicus’ eyes met.

“Loyalty always deserves rewarding.”

“Yes sire.”

“Tomorrow we will try to locate as many of Pompey’s men as are still alive. I doubt any of them are here in the royal palace complex.”

“No sire.”

Caesar strolled across to a large painted wooden model of the city on a table. Germanicus followed but kept a few, respectful, steps behind.

“You see Rome, Germanicus….” Julius said waving his hand with a sweep across the model. Germanicus came closer.

“….Has narrow alleys, crooked backstreets. Things built up where other things have been knocked down or fallen. This city is built in formation, in grids or squares. The Mediterranean is here,” he said pointing to the blue paint beyond the harbour, “Here is the lake. Do they draw their water from it? No wait. Look at this….” Caesar paused to study a cut away section of the

model, “There is a canal that brings water in from the Nile and then splits into pipes which lead into the various neighbourhoods. It must be over twenty miles long if this model is to scale. Ingenious,” Caesar’s eyes roamed all over

the city then his face lit up, “Ah the famous library of Alexandria, here near the palace, and the tomb of Alexander the great.”

The door opened and the other Generals returned.

“It has been done as you asked Caesar. Pothinus will send Ptolemy but Achillas was not to be found anywhere. My men are searching for him as we speak.”

“Good. If he fails to show then he will be stripped of his title and made an enemy of Rome. Now what else do we know of the city?”

“Well sir,” Germanicus said, “Most of the citizens live here to the west of this complex, the royal palace and quarters. There are estimated to be over a million of them. This area here is mainly residential. The building on the hilltop is the ’Serapeum’ the temple of Osiris. Pilgrims make their way here seeking advice and healing.”

“I’ve seen the people going in and out.”

“The needs of the people are many sire.”

“The lighthouse,” Caesar said, “Divides the harbour into two. My army is camped here to the south.”

“Yes sir. It’s quite marshy there.”

“We will have to watch for Mosquito’s. The last thing I want is for my army to go down with Malaria.”

One of Caesar’s personal assistants, a messenger called Lucius, approached.

“Yes what is it?”

“There’s a man in the corridor Caesar, carrying a bundle of bed sheets.”

Julius looked over at his bed.

“It doesn’t need changing. Send him away.”

“Forgive me sire but he says he has an urgent message from Queen Cleopatra.”

“Does he have a name?”

“Apollodorus sire.”

“Does anyone know him?” Caesar asked his counsel.

“No,” the Generals replied.

“He managed to avoid all your guards sire. He just appeared carrying the linen.“

“Is he alone?”

“Yes. I personally don‘t trust him. He allowed us to search him but not his bundle which he said was delicate and appears to be of considerable weight. He insisted it was for your eyes only. It may be concealing weapons sire.”

Marcellus drew his sword and brandished it angrily.

“Let me intercept this insolence sire. I’ll take my sword to his bed sheets. I’ll not leave a piece large enough to even conceal a pin.”

“Put your sword away Marcellus. Your zeal for my safety is always appreciated. I will grant this Apollodorus an audience. Show him in.”

He entered the room slowly. He was a big man. Standing a full head taller than the Romans and was equally as broad in the shoulders. He stopped some distance away.

“Are you the one who brings a message from Cleopatra?”

“Queen Cleopatra great Caesar.”

“Oh I beg your pardon. Queen Cleopatra. Where are my manners? You may set the sheets down and leave. One of my servants will change my bed.”

Apollodorus stood still, his legs planted slightly apart. The bed sheets held easily across his chest.

“Well what are you waiting for? Did you not hear? Put it down over there and be on your way,” Dolabella ordered.

“Your pardon General but my Queen instructed me to give this to Caesar and no one else.”

“Your load looks heavy Apollodorus. Why aren‘t you carrying it over your shoulder?” Julius interrupted.

“This was the way I was told to carry it.”

“By whom?”

“I take orders from Queen Cleopatra only.”

“Do you always do as you are told?”

“Yes.”

“You’re a good servant then.”

“I try to please my Queen. She honours me by letting me stay in her employ.”

“My manservant over there, Lucius, says I shouldn’t trust you. Queen Cleopatra clearly does. But tell me is he wrong?”

“Yes Caesar.”

Julius had been studying the linen, the way it bent in Apollodorus’ arms.

’It’s almost as if he’s carrying someone, a small person’

“I think I’m beginning to understand. Thank you gentlemen you may leave

us now.”

The Generals looked at each other in disbelief. It was an order. Caesar could see that Marcellus wanted to object but didn’t.

’At least he is learning’

As he walked past Julius spoke to him.

“Marcellus seeing as your sword is desperate to drink Egyptian blood perhaps you would be kind enough to lend it to me.”

The steel sang as it was pulled from the scabbard. Marcellus turned it, held it by its tip and laid it gently across his forearm, offering it as a sword should be offered. Julius took it by the handle and held it firmly. It was a very fine officers sword. It felt good in his hand.

“Thank you.”

Marcellus saluted and strode for the door where the others were waiting. The door closed with a thud. Now they were alone. The two of them. Apollodorus bowed his head to the Roman then went down on one knee and put the bed clothes down.

Julius bent at the knee and brought the sword in close to where the bundle was tied at one end.

“Please be careful. The sheets are quite delicate.”

“Don’t worry. I can be deft with a sword.”

He gently cut the string and proceeded to the other end and cut that one as well. Then turning his back on Apollodorus he took hold of the end of the bundle and with great strength he pulled it towards himself. It began to unroll, turning and turning and when it reached the end a female figure rolled out onto the floor and stopped, face down. Julius looked puzzled for a few

moments. The girl’s dress was plain.

“What’s this Apollodorus. You bring a slave girl to me at this hour.”

The girl turned over slowly and propped herself up on one elbow. Her long dark hair was in ringlets about her head. One had come loose and was down across her face. Her right leg was bent up at the knee and her split in her dress had fallen away to reveal a shapely, smooth thigh.

Caesar extended his hand but the girl swatted it away as she brushed the hair from her face.

“I am no slave.”

Apollodorus jumped to his feet.

“Hail Cleopatra. Daughter of Isis. Queen of upper and lower Egypt.”

Julius Caesar pulled the girl to her feet.

“Queen Cleopatra did you say?”

“Yes,” she retorted straightening her dress and dusting off her hands.

The Roman glared at her open mouthed, then at Apollodorus, then at the sheets. Then he threw back his head and roared with laughter.

“My dear girl is this some sort of elaborate hoax?”

“It’s no hoax and you should not be mocking me. Caesar I had to come to you, to speak urgently with you and I and Apollodorus came up with this plan so as my brother and his guards would not be suspicious.”

“Ah yes your brother. But you are Queen are you not?”

“You’ve met my brother, spoken with him. Did you not see how those two, Pothinus and Theodotus control him.”

“Theodotus? Ah yes, the boy King’s school teacher is he not?”

“My brother is a puppet. It is those two who secretly rule. Ptolemy has no power. He is duped by the rest of them, and Achillas.”

“They have all been summoned to my audience. You were the last one on my list. All except Achillas who is as yet unaccounted for.”

“That’s because Achillas has slipped through your net mighty Caesar. He is as we speak racing through the desert to his army on the banks of the Nile.”

She saw the discomfort on the Roman dictator’s face.

“I’m afraid Caesar that you find yourself in a desperate situation.”

His head was aching and his throat dry. He put the sword down on a table within reach. He poured himself some wine and drank thirstily.

“Have you had the wine tested to make sure it contains no poison?”

He took the cup away from his lips and studied it.

“At least it would put me out of my misery. An end to my….” he searched for her word, “….desperate situation.”

She crossed the gap between them.

“Caesar I must insist that you reinstate me as Queen as soon as possible. Sole ruler preferably.”

He was rubbing his brow, tired now. He took his hand away to look at her. She was quite plain looking. He knew she was twenty one, her voice sexy, her breasts full. Her body was slim and her skin that he could see was

blemish less. She was quite beautiful he decided.

“I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

“Impossible?”

“The agreement made between Rome and your father was that yourself and your brother would rule the lands of upper and lower Egypt jointly. Rome

was and is to be an arbiter in the situation only. Egypt was to keep its own laws and customs.”

“So you’re going to do nothing?”

“I didn’t say that. I merely said that until you and your brother are in my presence at the same time I can make no ruling and as I see that the hour grows late I guess it will not be tonight.”

He strode over to his writing desk, took a wax tablet and pressed his ring into the soft wax. The indent was perfect. He took the tablet to Apollodorus.

“Give this to the Captain of my guard. See that the Queen is given suitable accommodation.”

Apollodorus nodded and turned to leave.

“Stop! Where do you think you’re going?”

“Majesty I….” he stopped as Cleopatra cut him off.

“Who do you take your orders from?”

Apollodorus didn’t know what to do. Obviously he would always follow the Queen’s instructions but when a man was present and in particular this man, he felt he should take orders from the Roman.

“Do not presume to tell me Caesar where I can or can’t go. May I remind you that this is my palace, not yours, and all of it is accessible to me and may I further remind you that it is you, not me, who requires suitable accommodation. You are after all my guest.”

Both men stood and stared at her flabbergasted. She had one hand on her hip. Caesar wanted to laugh again but chose not to. Instead he smiled.

“Thank you for reminding me Queen Cleopatra. I am honoured to be your guest.”

“That’s better. Apollodorus you may go. I will sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Yes my Queen.”

The door closed quietly. Now they were alone. Cleopatra poured herself some wine. She looked at the Roman.

“It’s perfectly safe,” he said.

She took a sip. Still angry at the arrogance of men. Julius watched her. He

could see her buttocks through the sheer material of her dress as she moved.

’I really do desire her’ he was thinking. She suddenly smiled at him and he knew he wanted her.

“We’ve gotten off to a bad start haven’t we?” she said.

“My dear it’s just not simple for me to make you sole ruler. However if you could explain to me why you and your brother have fallen out it may help your cause.”

He pulled up a chair for her and sat himself. She came round the chair and straightened her dress as she sat giving him a tantalising flash of her inner thighs, which he found very erotic. She sat and placed her hands in her lap.

“Where do you want me to start?”

“In the beginning.”

“Very well. Do you wish me to be brief?”

“You can be as brief or as long winded as you like so long as you are accurate. I assume you’ll begin with the founding of this city. I should very much like to visit the tomb of Alexander the great.”

“I will take you on a personal guided tour Caesar. How about tomorrow morning?”

“Splendid. Now please begin.”

She took a deep breath and began.

“Alexander of Macedon, King, son of Phillip II and Olympias, known to the rest of the world as the ’Great’ came here to Egypt in the winter two hundred and thirty years before you were born….”

“You know when I was born?”

“I know a lot about you Caesar. More than you can imagine. I have done my homework.”

“So it seems. And I must learn as much about you as I can. If I am to help you that is.”

“Egypt watched the events unfold. First Turkey, then Syria and the great and ancient city of Tyre was destroyed and then Gaza. When he appeared on the banks of the Nile Egypt offered no resistance. Alexandria was just a narrow piece of land, coastal land, to the west of the Nile. He took string and sticks and laid out his new city Alexandria. So early in his career he wanted to spread the Hellenistic ideal, its culture, its civilisation. He didn’t stay long enough to see what it would become though. He left for Siwa, an oasis in the desert, to consult the oracle there, where Alexander claimed his father lived.”

Caesar was fascinated. He felt goose bumps on his arms as he thought about

the great King. He concentrated on the young Queen and found himself drifting. Her lips were full and sensual. The way her tongue touched her teeth as she spoke. He found it very arousing.

“Are you listening to me?”

“Of course.”

She continued telling the tale but he now found himself too distracted to listen anymore.

“I’m sorry Cleopatra I’m not listening as much as I’m enjoying you telling the tale. I’m rather tired and it is very late.”

She got up out of her seat. He rose too and now they were standing very close. Caesar was surrounded by her femininity. His heart was pounding. For a second he was tempted to kiss her. He wasn’t sure as to how she would react. He decided to kiss the back of her hand instead. He expected her to pull away after the kiss but she held his hand and her touch was warm. Then the moment passed.

“Do you intend to hold my hand forever Caesar?”

They both smiled. His was one of embarrassment.

“Guards,” he called.

The door opened instantly.

“Escort the Queen to her bedroom.”

Eight guards waited for her in the corridor.

She was about to leave then she suddenly reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

“Are you sure you wouldn‘t like me to stay?” she asked.

“Good night queen Cleopatra.”

She joined the guards in the corridor and they closed in around her as the door closed. Their footsteps receded into the distance. Caesar reached up and touched his cheek where she’d kissed it. He brought his fingertips in front of his face and looked at them. Then he looked at the door from where she’d left moments before.

“I think I’m beginning to fall in love with her,” he said to the night.